Summer Holiday
Summer Holiday

Movie spotlight

Summer Holiday

1963
Movie
108 min
English

1960s musical showcasing Cliff Richard. Four bus mechanics working for London Transport strike up a deal with the company: they do up a one of the company's legendary red double decker buses and take it to southern Europe as a mobile hotel. If it succeeds, they will be put in charge of a whole fleet. While on the road in France they pick up three young British ladies whose car breaks down and offer to take them to their next singing job in Athens. They also pick up a stowaway, who hides the fact that she's a famous American pop star on the run, chased by the media and her parents.

Insights

IMDb6.1/10
Google Users70%
Director: Peter YatesGenres: Musical, Comedy, Romance

Plot Summary

Four young London mechanics, seeking an escape from their routine lives, decide to embark on a road trip across Europe in a red double-decker bus. Their journey is filled with musical numbers, unexpected encounters, and romantic escapades as they make their way to Greece. Along the way, they pick up a female pop singer and her manager, adding to the chaos and charm of their adventure.

Critical Reception

Summer Holiday was a popular film at the box office, largely due to the star power of Cliff Richard and its upbeat musical numbers. While not critically lauded for its depth, it was seen as a fun and energetic musical romp that appealed to its target audience. Its blend of music, comedy, and a road trip narrative made it a quintessential British musical of its era.

What Reviewers Say

  • Appreciated for its vibrant musical performances and lighthearted entertainment.

  • Seen as a charming, albeit simple, portrayal of youth and adventure.

  • Praised for its iconic red double-decker bus and catchy songs.

Google audience: Google users generally found the film to be an enjoyable and nostalgic musical experience, highlighting the infectious energy of Cliff Richard and the memorable songs. Some viewers noted the plot's simplicity but appreciated its escapist qualities and the fun of the cross-European adventure.

Fun Fact

The iconic red double-decker bus used in the film was a 1957 AEC Routemaster, specially modified for the production and later became a symbol of the movie.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

With the help of London Transport, "Don" (Cliff Richard) and three of his mechanic pals pick up an American runaway "Barbara/Bobby" (Lauri Peters) and they all set off in a double decker bus on a tour of Europe. Their's is not the daftest o...

John Chard

John Chard

Lets see if it's true. Summer Holiday is directed by Peter Yates who also co-writes the story and screenplay with Ronald Cass. It stars Cliff Richard, Lauri Peters, Melvyn Hayes and Una Stubbs. Story sees Richard and three pals take a re...

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